Ask any Walt Disney World fan about their ‘Must Do’ attraction at EPCOT, and you’re likely to get a different answer from everyone.
What Would Chuck Do At EPCOT?
Prime example, Chuck is not a huge fan of EPCOT. It’s probably his least favorite of the Walt Disney World Parks. He would probably be very content popping in riding Soarin’ Around the World (his Must Do), getting on Test Track (his #2 favorite), and leaving. World showcase is not on his list of favorites.
However, when we first moved to Central Florida, we lived close enough to Walt Disney World to see Wishes from our patio. During our relocation, I was still spending most of my time wrapping up business affairs in Pennsylvania. So, several nights a week, Chuck would head over to EPCOT after work and see every group that came through for the summer concert series.
A Day In EPCOT with Mark
I, on the other hand, could spend all day roaming EPCOT. Truthfully, I’d be happy to sit all day anywhere along the promenade in World Showcase, and people watch. And, while many people choose to ‘Drink Around The World,” I would be content snacking from country to country and trying new foods.
I’m a bit spoiled. I worked a short stint in Park Event Operations as an Event and Media Guide. And while I worked at parties and events all over Walt Disney World, I spent most of my time in EPCOT. At one point, I knew the location of every snack, bathroom, AED, and backstage exit. Working parties at EPCOT at night, you get to know the entire score of Illuminations, and I did – something I’ll sorely miss.
One of my favorite times was a makeup for a family whose celebration was rained out and not very ‘magical.’
We were able to bring them back together for a re-do and ended their night with a surprise – back entrance admission to Soarin for the last ride of the night. They insisted that I join them – and how could I refuse?
So, What So Unpopular?
Nothing so far, but wait! My absolute, all-time favorite, could ride it every visit attraction at EPCOT is Living With The Land, in The Land Pavilion, in Future World.
Ya, seriously!!!! It’s not fast, it’s not glitzy, and it’s not exciting; but I am in awe every time I ride it!
I’m a complete and total foodie, and we both try to stay very connected to the foods we eat. So seeing how aquaponics, hydroponics, and farming in a desert work amazes me.
Living With The Land: Did You Know
- Living with the land opened on October 1, 1982, originally called Listen To The Land.
- There are 5 areas in the “living laboratory.” (according to Wikipedia, they include)
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- Tropics Greenhouse – This greenhouse features crops from the world’s tropical areas, including familiar and exotic foods.
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- Aquacell – This section focuses on aquaculture, or “fish farming.” It includes several high-density tanks and a few low-density display tanks and tubes.
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- Temperate Greenhouse (formerly the Desert Greenhouse) – A greenhouse featuring crops from temperate climates.
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- String Greenhouse (formerly the Production Greenhouse) – This greenhouse focuses on innovative high-density techniques, such as nutrient film techniques. It also shows off “vertical growing techniques,” in which plants are grown on specialized trellises, which cause the herbaceous plants to approximate the shape and structure of trees.
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- Creative Greenhouse – The final greenhouse in the attraction shows some unusual ideas about the future of agriculture. Most of the plants in Creative House are grown via Aeroponics, in which a fine mist of water and nutrients is sprayed directly onto the roots of the plants.
- Over the years, the attraction has been sponsored by Kraft Foods, Nestle, and, most recently, by Chiquita Brands International.
- Some of the fruits, vegetables, and seafood raised in the attraction are used at the Sunshine Seasons and Garden Grill restaurants in The Land pavilion.
- At full capacity, the attraction’s sixteen boats, with four passengers per row, can move 1600 Guests through the fourteen-minute, fifty-five-second attraction per hour.
Even More Fun at Living With The Land
Another added adventure that goes along with Living With The Land is the “Behind the Seeds” tour (currently closed).
This small-group walking tour takes you up-close and personal with all of the growing processes you see on the attraction. You may have even seen people standing in some of the growing areas as you ride by!
We did this tour pre-blog, pre-cell phone with good cameras, so you’ll have to take our word for it! LOL
So, what is one of your favorite things to do at EPCOT that might not make someone’s ‘Must Do’ list?
